NewzIntel.com

Category: Australia

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Intelligence Committee Passes Intelligence Authorization Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas Tom Cotton
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    July 15, 2025
    CONTACT:     
    Caroline Tabler (Cotton) 202 224-2353Patrick McCann (Cotton) 202 224-2353Rachel Cohen (Warner) 202 228-6884
    Senate Intelligence Committee Passes Intelligence Authorization Act
    Washington, D.C. – Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), and Senator Mark R. Warner (D-Virginia), Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, today released the following statements after the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence passed the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (IAA) today on a bipartisan 15-2 vote. The bill authorizes funding, provides legal authorities, and enhances oversight of national security threats and our United States Intelligence Community.
    “I’d like to thank my colleagues for their tireless work on this bill that will go a long way towards keeping America safer and making the intelligence agencies charged with doing so more transparent and efficient. I am pleased this bill includes needed reforms and restructuring to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, restricts the travel of adversarial diplomats inside the United States, and protects Intelligence Community installations by adding further reviews to nearby land purchases which safeguards them against drone threats. This bill passed out of committee on a bipartisan basis and I hope my colleagues will support its passage by the full Senate,” said Senator Cotton.
    “This bipartisan bill provides the Intelligence Community the resources it needs to do its mission while ensuring that we maintain rigorous oversight of the IC’s activities. This year’s IAA responds to important concerns, including by enhancing protections for whistleblowers, and also safeguards our Nation’s critical infrastructure in the wake of the Salt Typhoon compromises.  At the same time, it readies the IC for the future by promoting IC energy resiliency through the deployment of nuclear technologies and enhancing the IC’s ability to detect and counter threats relating to biotechnologies and bioweapons,” said Senator Warner. 
    The Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 will:
    Significantly reform and improve efficiencies and effectiveness within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the broader Intelligence Community;
    Require that visas be denied to certain nationals applying to work at the United Nations if they are known or suspected of being foreign intelligence officers or committing intelligence or espionage activities;
    Prohibit the Intelligence Community from contracting with Chinese military companies engaged in biotechnology research, development, or manufacturing;
    Codify tour and travel restrictions for Chinese, Russian Iranian and North Korean diplomats in the United States;
    Improve the Intelligence Community’s artificial intelligence capabilities and capacity and establish guidelines for the IC’s procurement and use of artificial intelligence;
    Shores up counter-intelligence risks posed by Salt Typhoon compromises of U.S. telecommunications infrastructure by leveraging IC procurement power;
    Strengthen the security of telecommunications networks by establish baseline cybersecurity requirements for vendors of telecommunications services to the IC;
    Establish authorities for protecting Central Intelligence Agency facilities from unmanned aircraft systems;
    Require the Intelligence Community to develop a policy for sharing biotechnological threats with U.S. agencies, allies, and private-sector partners, including on PRC efforts to acquire genomic data;
    Require the Director of National Intelligence to identify sites for deployment of advanced nuclear technologies;
    Establish a fund to support IC efforts to acquire and integrate emerging technologies proven to meet mission needs;
    Prohibit Intelligence Community contractors from collecting or selling Intelligence Community personnel location data;
    Support the Intelligence Community workforce by requiring the Director of National Intelligence to issue standard guidelines for Intelligence Community personnel to document and report Anomalous Health Incidents; 
    Enhance protections for, and congressional oversight of, Intelligence Community whistleblowers;
    Require the Director of National Intelligence to enhance efforts to counter narcotics trafficking with the Government of Mexico;
    Promote transparency by requiring the Director of National Intelligence to conduct a declassification review and publish intelligence relating to the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic;
    Streamline the construction of Intelligence Community facilities;
    Amend the Spectrum Relocation Fund authorization to clarify eligibility for Title 50 agencies that utilize spectrum and whose usage could be impacted by future reallocation decisions;
    Protect Americans’ privacy by statutorily requiring procedures governing the dissemination of U.S. identities and corresponding reporting requirements, as well as prohibits the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis from collecting intelligence on Americans; and
    Provide additional reviews for foreign purchases of land near IC facilities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Northern Territory Police Force Statement  

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force acknowledges the death of Bradley John Murdoch, the man convicted of the 2001 murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio near Barrow Creek.

    It is deeply regrettable that Murdoch has died without, as far as we are aware, ever disclosing the location of Peter Falconio’s remains.

    His silence has denied the Falconio family the closure they have so long deserved.

    Our thoughts are with the Falconio family in the United Kingdom, whose grief continues.

    The Northern Territory Police Force remains committed to resolving this final piece of the investigation.

    We continue to appeal to anyone who may have information that could lead us to Peter Falconio’s remains to come forward, no matter how small the detail may seem.

    A reward of up to $500,000 is available to anyone providing information that leads to the discovery of Peter Falconio’s remains.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Northern Territory Police Force Statement  

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force acknowledges the death of Bradley John Murdoch, the man convicted of the 2001 murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio near Barrow Creek.

    It is deeply regrettable that Murdoch has died without, as far as we are aware, ever disclosing the location of Peter Falconio’s remains.

    His silence has denied the Falconio family the closure they have so long deserved.

    Our thoughts are with the Falconio family in the United Kingdom, whose grief continues.

    The Northern Territory Police Force remains committed to resolving this final piece of the investigation.

    We continue to appeal to anyone who may have information that could lead us to Peter Falconio’s remains to come forward, no matter how small the detail may seem.

    A reward of up to $500,000 is available to anyone providing information that leads to the discovery of Peter Falconio’s remains.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Veritex Holdings, Inc. Announces Date Change for Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Release and Cancellation of Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DALLAS, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Veritex Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: VBTX), the parent holding company for Veritex Community Bank, today announced a date change for release of its second quarter 2025 earnings results. Veritex will now release its second quarter 2025 earnings results before the opening of the market on Friday, July 18, 2025. The earnings release will be available on Veritex’s website, https://ir.veritexbank.com/.

    Veritex also announced the cancellation of its second quarter 2025 investor conference call that Veritex had announced would occur on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 due to the announcement on July 14, 2025 that Veritex has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Huntington Bancshares Incorporated, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. There will be no conference call scheduled this quarter relating to Veritex’s second quarter results.

    About Veritex Holdings, Inc.

    Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Veritex is a bank holding company that conducts banking activities through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Veritex Community Bank, with locations throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and in the Houston metropolitan area. Veritex Community Bank is a Texas state-chartered bank regulated by the Texas Department of Banking and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. For more information, visit www.veritexbank.com.

    Source: Veritex Holdings, Inc.

    CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    This communication may contain certain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, certain plans, expectations, goals, projections, and statements about the benefits of the proposed transaction, the plans, objectives, expectations and intentions of Veritex and Huntington, the expected timing of completion of the transaction, and other statements that are not historical facts and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties that are beyond the control of Veritex and Huntington. Such statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, estimates, uncertainties and other important factors that change over time and could cause actual results to differ materially from any results, performance, or events expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including as a result of the factors referenced below. Statements that do not describe historical or current facts, including statements about beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as expect, anticipate, continue, believe, intend, estimate, plan, trend, objective, target, goal, or similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as will, may, might, should, would, could, or similar variations. The forward-looking statements are intended to be subject to the safe harbor provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

    Veritex and Huntington caution that the forward-looking statements in this communication are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to assess and are subject to change based on factors which are, in many instances, beyond Veritex’s and Huntington’s control. While there is no assurance that any list of risks and uncertainties or risk factors is complete, below are certain factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in the forward-looking statements or historical performance: changes in general economic, political, or industry conditions; deterioration in business and economic conditions, including persistent inflation, supply chain issues or labor shortages, instability in global economic conditions and geopolitical matters, as well as volatility in financial markets; changes in U.S. trade policies, including the imposition of tariffs and retaliatory tariffs; the impact of pandemics and other catastrophic events or disasters on the global economy and financial market conditions and our business, results of operations, and financial condition; the impacts related to or resulting from bank failures and other volatility, including potential increased regulatory requirements and costs, such as FDIC special assessments, long-term debt requirements and heightened capital requirements, and potential impacts to macroeconomic conditions, which could affect the ability of depository institutions, including us, to attract and retain depositors and to borrow or raise capital; unexpected outflows of uninsured deposits which may require us to sell investment securities at a loss; changing interest rates which could negatively impact the value of our portfolio of investment securities; the loss of value of our investment portfolio which could negatively impact market perceptions of us and could lead to deposit withdrawals; the effects of social media on market perceptions of us and banks generally; cybersecurity risks; uncertainty in U.S. fiscal and monetary policy, including the interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve; volatility and disruptions in global capital, foreign exchange and credit markets; movements in interest rates; competitive pressures on product pricing and services; success, impact, and timing of our business strategies, including market acceptance of any new products or services including those implementing our “Fair Play” banking philosophy; changes in policies and standards for regulatory review of bank mergers; the nature, extent, timing, and results of governmental actions, examinations, reviews, reforms, regulations, and interpretations, including those related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the Basel III regulatory capital reforms, as well as those involving the SEC, OCC, Federal Reserve, FDIC, CFPB and state-level regulators; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the right of one or both of the parties to terminate the merger agreement between Veritex and Huntington; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Veritex and Huntington; delays in completing the transaction; the failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals (and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the transaction); the failure to obtain Veritex shareholder approval or to satisfy any of the other conditions to the transaction on a timely basis or at all; the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the transaction are not realized when expected or at all, including as a result of the impact of, or problems arising from, the integration of the two companies or as a result of the strength of the economy and competitive factors in the areas where Veritex and Huntington do business; the possibility that the transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; potential adverse reactions or changes to business, customer or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the transaction; the ability to complete the transaction and integration of Veritex and Huntington successfully; the dilution caused by Huntington’s issuance of additional shares of its capital stock in connection with the transaction; and other factors that may affect the future results of Veritex and Huntington. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described above can be found in Veritex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and in its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, each of which is on file with the SEC and available on Veritex’s investor relations website, ir.veritexbank.com, under the heading “Financials” and in other documents Veritex files with the SEC, and in Huntington’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and in its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, each of which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and available in the “Investor Relations” section of Huntington’s website, http://www.huntington.com, under the heading “Investor Relations” and in other documents Huntington files with the SEC.

    All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth above. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are based on information available at that time. Neither Veritex nor Huntington assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or other factors affecting forward-looking statements that occur after the date the forward-looking statements were made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as required by federal securities laws. If Veritex or Huntington update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that Veritex or Huntington will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. As forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, caution should be exercised against placing undue reliance on such statements.

    IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    In connection with the proposed transaction, Huntington will file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 that will include a Proxy Statement of Veritex and a Prospectus of Huntington, as well as other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction. The proposed transaction involving Huntington and Veritex will be submitted to Veritex’s shareholders for their consideration. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF VERITEX ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE TRANSACTION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Shareholders will be able to obtain a free copy of the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about Huntington and Veritex, without charge, at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and the filings with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference in the proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained, without charge, by directing a request to Huntington Investor Relations, Huntington Bancshares Incorporated, Huntington Center, 41 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43287, (800) 576-5007 or to Veritex Investor Relations, Veritex Holdings, Inc., 8214 Westchester Drive, Suite 800, Dallas, Texas 75225, (972) 349-6200.

    PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION

    Huntington, Veritex, and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Veritex in connection with the proposed transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information regarding the interests of the directors and executive officers of Huntington and Veritex and other persons who may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of shareholders of Veritex in connection with the transaction and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus related to the transaction, which will be filed by Huntington with the SEC. Information regarding Huntington’s directors and executive officers is available in its definitive proxy statement relating to its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 6, 2025, and other documents filed by Huntington with the SEC. Information regarding Veritex’s directors and executive officers is available in its definitive proxy statement relating to its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 29, 2025, and other documents filed by Veritex with the SEC. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials filed with the SEC. Free copies of this document may be obtained as described above under “Important Additional Information.”

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – New foundation aims to give refugee communities a voice – AMES

    Source: AMES

    Supporting vulnerable refugees, advocating for, and building the capacity of grass roots refugee communities is the mission of a new not-for-profit organisation.

    The RCAA Foundation is a refugee driven organisation that also aims to give refugees with lived experience a voice to government and in national conversations.

    The inaugural foundation chair is settlement sector veteran and the retiring CEO of settlement agency AMES Australia Cath Scarth.

    An extension of the Refugee Communities Association of Australia, the bi-partisan foundation aims to work with grass roots refugee communities in Australia to build their capacity, advocacy and agency.

    Ms Scarth said the foundation was about self-determination and agency for refugee communities.

    “The foundation is an opportunity to build capacity within refugee communities to help them devise and deliver their own solutions to the challenges they face,” Ms Scarth said.

    “We saw during the COVID pandemic the ability of refugee communities to rise above challenges and support each other.

    “The foundation is also an opportunity for people who are not from refugee communities to play a part in supporting them,” Ms Scarth said.

     RCAA Foundation director Parsu Sharma Luital said the Foundation’s aim was “to incorporate the authentic, grassroots voices of refugees directly into key national discussions”.

    “The foundation aims to make our community work sustainable. We want to create opportunities to source resources that support refugee communities and empower them to have a voice in decisions that affect their lives.

    “Many people don’t understand that refugees are making positive contributions to Australia economically and socially. Part of the work of the foundation will be to change that.

    “Many people also think that refugees come with problems and challenges. But they also come with solutions, skills, expertise and the opportunity to put forward and implement those solutions could materially benefit many lives,” Mr Sharma Luital said.

    Fellow foundation director Elijah Buol OAM said the foundation was an extension of RCAA’s work in supporting refugee communities.

    “Our mission is to support refugees and people seeking asylum and to empower them as well as to provide resources and financial support so they can achieve their goals and aspirations and fulfil their potential,” Mr Buol said.

    The foundation’s constitution states its object is “to provide direct assistance to people in Australia who are disadvantaged by poverty, illness, suffering, distress, misfortune, disability, destitution or helplessness so as to arouse compassion in the community, with a particular emphasis on migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and people from a culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who are at financial risk or in other vulnerable circumstances”.

    RCAA is the national peak body for grass roots refugee communities.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – New foundation aims to give refugee communities a voice – AMES

    Source: AMES

    Supporting vulnerable refugees, advocating for, and building the capacity of grass roots refugee communities is the mission of a new not-for-profit organisation.

    The RCAA Foundation is a refugee driven organisation that also aims to give refugees with lived experience a voice to government and in national conversations.

    The inaugural foundation chair is settlement sector veteran and the retiring CEO of settlement agency AMES Australia Cath Scarth.

    An extension of the Refugee Communities Association of Australia, the bi-partisan foundation aims to work with grass roots refugee communities in Australia to build their capacity, advocacy and agency.

    Ms Scarth said the foundation was about self-determination and agency for refugee communities.

    “The foundation is an opportunity to build capacity within refugee communities to help them devise and deliver their own solutions to the challenges they face,” Ms Scarth said.

    “We saw during the COVID pandemic the ability of refugee communities to rise above challenges and support each other.

    “The foundation is also an opportunity for people who are not from refugee communities to play a part in supporting them,” Ms Scarth said.

     RCAA Foundation director Parsu Sharma Luital said the Foundation’s aim was “to incorporate the authentic, grassroots voices of refugees directly into key national discussions”.

    “The foundation aims to make our community work sustainable. We want to create opportunities to source resources that support refugee communities and empower them to have a voice in decisions that affect their lives.

    “Many people don’t understand that refugees are making positive contributions to Australia economically and socially. Part of the work of the foundation will be to change that.

    “Many people also think that refugees come with problems and challenges. But they also come with solutions, skills, expertise and the opportunity to put forward and implement those solutions could materially benefit many lives,” Mr Sharma Luital said.

    Fellow foundation director Elijah Buol OAM said the foundation was an extension of RCAA’s work in supporting refugee communities.

    “Our mission is to support refugees and people seeking asylum and to empower them as well as to provide resources and financial support so they can achieve their goals and aspirations and fulfil their potential,” Mr Buol said.

    The foundation’s constitution states its object is “to provide direct assistance to people in Australia who are disadvantaged by poverty, illness, suffering, distress, misfortune, disability, destitution or helplessness so as to arouse compassion in the community, with a particular emphasis on migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and people from a culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who are at financial risk or in other vulnerable circumstances”.

    RCAA is the national peak body for grass roots refugee communities.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – New foundation aims to give refugee communities a voice – AMES

    Source: AMES

    Supporting vulnerable refugees, advocating for, and building the capacity of grass roots refugee communities is the mission of a new not-for-profit organisation.

    The RCAA Foundation is a refugee driven organisation that also aims to give refugees with lived experience a voice to government and in national conversations.

    The inaugural foundation chair is settlement sector veteran and the retiring CEO of settlement agency AMES Australia Cath Scarth.

    An extension of the Refugee Communities Association of Australia, the bi-partisan foundation aims to work with grass roots refugee communities in Australia to build their capacity, advocacy and agency.

    Ms Scarth said the foundation was about self-determination and agency for refugee communities.

    “The foundation is an opportunity to build capacity within refugee communities to help them devise and deliver their own solutions to the challenges they face,” Ms Scarth said.

    “We saw during the COVID pandemic the ability of refugee communities to rise above challenges and support each other.

    “The foundation is also an opportunity for people who are not from refugee communities to play a part in supporting them,” Ms Scarth said.

     RCAA Foundation director Parsu Sharma Luital said the Foundation’s aim was “to incorporate the authentic, grassroots voices of refugees directly into key national discussions”.

    “The foundation aims to make our community work sustainable. We want to create opportunities to source resources that support refugee communities and empower them to have a voice in decisions that affect their lives.

    “Many people don’t understand that refugees are making positive contributions to Australia economically and socially. Part of the work of the foundation will be to change that.

    “Many people also think that refugees come with problems and challenges. But they also come with solutions, skills, expertise and the opportunity to put forward and implement those solutions could materially benefit many lives,” Mr Sharma Luital said.

    Fellow foundation director Elijah Buol OAM said the foundation was an extension of RCAA’s work in supporting refugee communities.

    “Our mission is to support refugees and people seeking asylum and to empower them as well as to provide resources and financial support so they can achieve their goals and aspirations and fulfil their potential,” Mr Buol said.

    The foundation’s constitution states its object is “to provide direct assistance to people in Australia who are disadvantaged by poverty, illness, suffering, distress, misfortune, disability, destitution or helplessness so as to arouse compassion in the community, with a particular emphasis on migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and people from a culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who are at financial risk or in other vulnerable circumstances”.

    RCAA is the national peak body for grass roots refugee communities.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 515

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL5

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 515
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    430 PM MDT Tue Jul 15 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
    Central Wyoming

    * Effective this Tuesday afternoon and evening from 430 PM until
    1000 PM MDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible
    Isolated large hail events to 1 inch in diameter possible

    SUMMARY…A band of thunderstorms will likely intensify while moving
    eastward across central Wyoming, with the potential to produce
    severe outflow gusts up to 70 mph and isolated large hail up to 1
    inch in diameter.

    The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 60
    statute miles north and south of a line from 40 miles northwest of
    Riverton WY to 45 miles north northeast of Casper WY. For a complete
    depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
    (WOUS64 KWNS WOU5).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
    favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
    Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
    weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
    warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
    tornadoes.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 513…WW 514…

    AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
    1 inch. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A few
    cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 450. Mean storm motion vector
    27025.

    …Thompson

    SEL5

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 515
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    430 PM MDT Tue Jul 15 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
    Central Wyoming

    * Effective this Tuesday afternoon and evening from 430 PM until
    1000 PM MDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible
    Isolated large hail events to 1 inch in diameter possible

    SUMMARY…A band of thunderstorms will likely intensify while moving
    eastward across central Wyoming, with the potential to produce
    severe outflow gusts up to 70 mph and isolated large hail up to 1
    inch in diameter.

    The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 60
    statute miles north and south of a line from 40 miles northwest of
    Riverton WY to 45 miles north northeast of Casper WY. For a complete
    depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
    (WOUS64 KWNS WOU5).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
    favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
    Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
    weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
    warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
    tornadoes.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 513…WW 514…

    AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
    1 inch. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A few
    cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 450. Mean storm motion vector
    27025.

    …Thompson

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW5
    WW 515 SEVERE TSTM WY 152230Z – 160400Z
    AXIS..60 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF LINE..
    40NW RIW/RIVERTON WY/ – 45NNE CPR/CASPER WY/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 50NM N/S /31W BOY – 26NNE DDY/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1 INCH. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 450. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 27025.

    LAT…LON 44350901 44370613 42630613 42610901

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU5.

    Watch 515 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Low ( 2 inches

    Low (10%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    Mod (60%)

    For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: Talisman Sabre 2025 Begins with Record Participation and Enduring Purpose

    Source: United States Navy

    SYDNEY, Australia — Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 formally commenced today from the flight deck of HMAS Adelaide in Sydney Harbor, launching military activities involving 19 nations and over 30,000 service members across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace. This marks the largest bilateral military training event between the United States and Australia to date.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 514

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL4

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 514
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    350 PM CDT Tue Jul 15 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
    Northern Kansas
    Western and Central Nebraska
    Southeast South Dakota

    * Effective this Tuesday afternoon and evening from 350 PM until
    1100 PM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    Scattered damaging winds and isolated significant gusts to 80
    mph likely
    Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2
    inches in diameter possible

    SUMMARY…Scattered thunderstorms are forecast to develop along a
    front this afternoon into the evening and grow upscale into a linear
    cluster. Large hail will be the primary severe hazard this
    afternoon before storms increase in coverage and congeal into one or
    two linear clusters. Severe gusts will become the primary severe
    hazard during the evening as this activity moves east-southeast
    across the Watch area.

    The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 85
    statute miles east and west of a line from 35 miles east northeast
    of Chamberlain SD to 20 miles south southeast of Mccook NE. For a
    complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline
    update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU4).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
    favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
    Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
    weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
    warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
    tornadoes.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 513…

    AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
    2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 70 knots. A
    few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
    28025.

    …Smith

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW4
    WW 514 SEVERE TSTM KS NE SD 152050Z – 160400Z
    AXIS..85 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
    35ENE 9V9/CHAMBERLAIN SD/ – 20SSE MCK/MCCOOK NE/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 75NM E/W /70ESE PIR – 18SSE MCK/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..2 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..70 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 28025.

    LAT…LON 43959696 39919883 39910204 43950038

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU4.

    Watch 514 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Low (10%)

    Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

    Low ( 65 knots

    Mod (60%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Mod (40%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Mod (30%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    High (90%)

    For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How to approach going to the cinema like a philosopher

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alain Guillemain, PhD Candidate in Philosophy, Deakin University

    Philosophy is the study of fundamental questions about reality, knowledge, and values. One “does philosophy” when they respond to such questions in ways that engage critical thought and inquiry.

    Many of us will often respond philosophically to the world around us without even realising it. We may do this, for instance, when we reflect on various aspects of culture and the arts.

    But does going to the cinema really amount to doing philosophy? While you may have never thought about it this way, this is exactly what one famous French philosopher named Gilles Deleuze (1925–95) argued.

    Deleuze’s movement-image

    Deleuze presents a philosophical approach to cinema that treats films not merely as entertainment, but as a medium for thinking and creating philosophical concepts.

    This creation of philosophical concepts is what he and his collaborator, Felix Guattari, prize as “doing philosophy” in their 1991 book What is Philosophy?.

    For Deleuze and Guattari, the creation of concepts is not entirely mental. It is an embodied process that involves engaging the senses – which is what cinema demands of both filmmakers and viewers. To that end, filmmakers and film viewers can both be seen as special kinds of philosophers.

    Deleuze suggests cinema is not simply leisure or culture. In his 1983 book Cinema 1: The Movement-Image, he highlights how cinema is a philosophical practice made possible though “movement-images” – cinematic images which can actively shape our perception and experience of the world.

    Great film directors can create concepts through movement-images, just as great philosophers do so through language.

    Good cinema demands viewers engage using all their senses, resulting in an embodied experience.
    Kumiko Shimizu/Unsplash

    Deleuze identified three categories of movement-images: perception-images, affection-images and action-images.

    The perception-image frames the world from a particular point of view, usually to establish context for an action. For example, at the start of a scene, the camera might pan across the contents of a room before resting on the protagonist.

    The affection-image is the cinematic expression of pure emotion. Affection-images can evoke empathy, such as when we see a character’s face overcome with sadness in a close-up. These images usually sit between perception and action images.

    The action-image embodies action and reaction within a defined situation, and usually links perception and affection images. In the horror genre, this may be the “jump scare” that suddenly reveals a killer, after a long buildup of tension.

    Deleuze’s time-image

    In his 1985 book Cinema 2: The Time-Image, Deleuze extends his film philosophy from that of movement-images to include time-images.

    The time-image is one where the experience of time is prioritised over narrative. For instance, a time-image may make use of long takes, empty spaces and irrational cuts to depict time directly onscreen, rather than represent time through props.

    Through masterfully crafting movement-images and time-images, directors can (knowingly or unwittingly) create the opportunity for audiences to think about philosophical concepts and themes.

    For example, in the trailer for Get Out (2017), director Jordan Peele uses a range of movement-images and time-images to convey the concepts of racism, trauma, social isolation and social stratification.

    Multiple closeups of main character Chris Washington’s face looking alarmed produce affection-images (a type of movement-image) that engage the viewer’s emotions.

    Peele also strategically uses time-images to intensify the themes being conveyed, such as when Rose’s mother clinks the spoon on the teacup, both moving Chris back in time and freezing him in real time.

    For Deleuze, it is these embodied, affective experiences that are the fundamental conditions for thought. By allowing the film to be sensed and felt, and by transmuting these feelings into the domain of thought, the cinemagoer can become philosophically engaged.

    Repetition is another element that can bear philosophical fruits, according to Deleuze. The more one repeats a film, whether by re-watching, or repeating certain sequences, the more they allow themselves to be affected by it in different ways. This opens up different avenues for thought.

    How to engage philosophically with films

    Cinemagoers need not be familiar with Deleuze’s ideas to engage philosophically with a film. The only thing required is an openness to the film. But if you do want to consciously approach your next viewing like a philosopher, you might consider the following steps:

    1. Feel as you watch. Open yourself up and allow cinematic moments to affect you on an emotional and bodily level, even if this is unpleasant or uncomfortable.

    2. Allow for multiple interpretations. Resist the temptation to fall into black and white thinking about which characters are “good” or “bad”. Remain open to different readings of the film.

    3. Reflect on what you felt. Allow what you experienced in your body guide your thoughts afterwards. For instance, if you experienced shock, rage, or confusion, ask yourself why.

    4. Gently arrive at some conclusions based on your multiple readings of the film. Allow for perspectives that both contribute to and challenge your worldview.

    5. Consider watching the film again, and repeating the above steps. This will likely help you feel and think new things that further enhance your understanding of the film, and your worldview.

    Ruari Elkington has received funding from The Queensland Government Dept of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI), Screen Queensland, The Embassy of France in Australia and Cinema Association Australasia

    Alain Guillemain does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. How to approach going to the cinema like a philosopher – https://theconversation.com/how-to-approach-going-to-the-cinema-like-a-philosopher-259277

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Update 13: Alberta wildfire update (July 15, 3 p.m.)

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan Wildfire Update – July 15

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on July 15, 2025

    As of 11:00 am on Tuesday, July 15, there are 50 active wildfires in Saskatchewan. Of those active fires, four are categorized as contained, 12 are not contained, 18 are ongoing assessment and 16 are listed as protecting values.

    Forty firefighters from Australia have arrived to assist with the wildfire efforts and another forty will be joining from Mexico later this week. This is in addition to the assistance that arrived last week from Quebec through two CL-415 aircraft and 100 wildfire personnel.

    “Saskatchewan is grateful to everyone who has helped with the unprecedented wildfire season,” SPSA Vice-President of Operations Steve Roberts said. “Thank you to everyone local and abroad for the immense support in the air and on the ground.”

    Over the past several months our province has received aircraft support from Quebec, British Columbia and Alaska, as well as wildland firefighters and personnel from Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Alberta, Quebec, British Columbia, Yukon, Oregon, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Washington, South Dakota and the United States Forest Service.

    Nine communities are currently under an evacuation order: Resort Subdivision of Lac La Plonge, La Plonge Reserve, Northern Village of Beauval, Jans Bay, Patuanak/English River First Nation as well as priority individuals from Montreal Lake Cree Nation, Northern Village of Pinehouse, Northern Village of Île-à-la-Crosse and Canoe Lake Cree First Nation/Cole Bay/Canoe Narrows. 

    Any evacuees should register through the Sask Evac Web Application and then call 1-855-559-5502 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to have their needs assessed and for additional assistance. Individuals who need help registering through the application can call the 855 Line for assistance. 

    Evacuees supported by the Canadian Red Cross should call 1-800-863-6582.

    As a reminder, there is a fire ban in place in the area north of the provincial forest boundary, up to the Churchill River. The fire ban prohibits any open fires, controlled burns and fireworks in the designated boundary. This includes provincial parks, provincial recreation sites and the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District within the boundary.

    A full list of evacuated communities can be found on the Active Evacuations webpage.

    The latest wildfire information, an interactive fire ban map, frequently asked questions, fire risk maps and fire prevention tips can be found at saskpublicsafety.ca.

    Review the current fire bans and restrictions in provincial parks and recreation sites.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Coming up next week at the London Assembly W/C 30 June

    Source: Mayor of London

    PUBLIC MEETINGS

    Tuesday 1 July

    New London Fire Commissioner

    Fire Committee – The Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 10am

    On his first day as London Fire Commissioner, Jonathan Smith will answer questions from the Fire Committee.

    The Committee will ask the Commissioner about what his plans are for the London Fire Brigade, as he starts his new role, and how he intends to deliver a modern and effective fire service for London. The guests are:

    Panel 1: 10-10.45

    • Steve Hamm, CEO, Institution of Fire Engineers
    • Professor José Torero, Professor of Civil Engineering and Head of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering at University College London, Grenfell Tower Inquiry (GTI) expert witness
    • Suzanne McCarthy, Chair, Fire Standards Board

    Panel 2: 11-11.45

    • Martin Forde KC, Independent Chair, LFB Advisory Panel on Culture
    • Dave Shek, Executive Council Member for London, Fire Brigades Union
    • Deborah Riviere-Williams, Chair Unison, LFB Unison Branch

    Panel 3: LFC & DMF 12-12.45

    • Jonathan Smith, London Fire Commissioner (as of July 1 20205)
    • Jules Pipe CBE, Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and the Fire Service

    MEDIA CONTACT: Josh Hunt on 07763 252 310 / [email protected]

    Wednesday 2 July

    Neighbourhood policing

    Police and Crime Committee – The Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 10am

    37 per cent of young people said their trust in the police had decreased over the last year, according to a 2024 survey.

    The Police and Crime Committee will meet to begin its investigation into neighbourhood policing, specifically looking at the effectiveness of how the teams engage and maintain relationships with young people. The guests are:

    • Carly Adams Elias, Director of Practice, Safer London
    • Rhys Barfoot, Youth Involvement Manager, London Youth
    • Katya Moran, Director, Youth Justice Legal Centre
    • Shelli Green, Team Leader, Prevention & Diversion Team, Young Hackney

    MEDIA CONTACT: Tony Smyth on 07763 251 727 / [email protected]

    Wednesday 2 July

    Men’s mental health

    Health Committee – The Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 2pm

    As part of its investigation into men’s mental health, the Health Committee will hear from guests who have lived experience of challenges with mental health. The guests are:

    Panel 1: 14:00 – 15:25

    • Guests with lived experience

    Panel 2: 15:30 – 17:00

    • Dr Tom Coffey OBE, Mayoral Health Advisor
    • Dan Barrett, Director, Thrive LDN & Good Thinking, and Co-Director, PHI-UK Population Mental Health Consortium
    • Karen Bonner MBE, Regional Chief Nurse, NHS England (London region)
    • Dr Billy Boland, Regional Clinical Director for Mental Health, NHS England (London region)

    MEDIA CONTACT: Alison Bell on 07887 832 918 / [email protected]

    Thursday 3 July

    Transport for London & Oxford St Mayoral Development Area

    All Assembly meeting – The Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 10am

    Assembly Members will ask how Transport for London (TfL) is delivering for London, and what its priorities and challenges are for 2025/26.  The guests are:

    • Sir Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, in his capacity as Chair of Transport for London (TfL)
    • Andy Lord, Commissioner of TfL

    From 1pm, the Assembly will consider the Mayor’s proposal to designate a Mayoral Development Area (MDA) for Oxford Street, and whether or not to reject the proposal.  Guests to be confirmed.

    MEDIA CONTACT: Alison Bell on 07887 832 918 / [email protected]

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New statue set to honour the women of Stoke-on-Trent’s pottery industry

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Tuesday, 15th July 2025

    A new statue is set to give long-overdue recognition to the women who shaped Stoke-on-Trent’s world-famous ceramics industry.

    Plans to commission the city’s first statue honouring the women’s historic contribution will go before the city council’s cabinet on Tuesday 22 July.

    At the start of the 20th century, women made up nearly half of the workforce in the local pottery industry. Yet their roles were often overlooked, underpaid and undervalued – with men taking on the most skilled and lucrative positions.

    Women played a vital part the creation of ceramic products that were exported around the world – helping secure the city’s global reputation and ultimately, its city status in 1925.

    The statue would be installed outside The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery – where the ‘Steel Man’ statue is currently located.

    Under the proposals, Steel Man would be loaned to Goodwin PLC, returning to the foundry in Hanley where it was originally cast almost 50 years ago. In return, Goodwin would fund and commission the new bronze statue.

    Steel Man was created by artist Colin Melbourne in 1974, commissioned by the Shelton Steel Action Committee. It would remain on public display at its new home – clearly visible from the main road.

    The new statue forms part of the city’s wider Centenary celebrations, marking 100 years since the city was officially granted its status in 1925.

    Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “This is about giving recognition to a part of our history that has too often gone unrecognised.

    “Women were often the backbone of the ceramics industry – decorating and finishing some of the world’s most iconic pottery, often without the recognition or pay that men received.

    “For every Clarice Cliff or Susie Cooper, there were hundreds of women whose names we don’t recognise but whose skill and labour made this city what it is. This new statue is a proud, permanent tribute to their work and their place in our history.

    “I’m also pleased that there are plans for Steel Man to return home to the foundry where it was originally cast. It’s a proud symbol of our industrial heritage and it will continue to tell that story in a new setting.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Charity partnership for mattress reuse

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    A new mattress reuse service is now helping to tackle this waste. Residents can drop off unwanted mattresses in one of two designated containers at Friarton Recycling Centre in Perth. These are collected by PUSH, a local charity that supports young people who face barriers to employment. 

    Each mattress is thoroughly cleaned and sanitised by trained staff at PUSH’s warehouse in Friarton, before being sold at affordable prices in the PUSH Reuse Shop at 52-60 South Street, Perth. 

    Free home collections are also available: please call PUSH on 01738 270615 to book. 

    To help us ensure safety and quality, donated mattresses must: 

    By donating or buying a mattress from PUSH, you’re helping reduce waste and supporting local young people into meaningful training and employment. 

    “We’re proud to offer clean, professionally sanitised mattresses at affordable prices,” said PUSH CEO, Catriona Palombo. “Demand for low-cost mattresses has always been high, and now we can meet that need with confidence, knowing each one has been thoroughly processed by our trained team. When you buy from PUSH, you’re not just supporting reuse — you’re helping to create real training and employment opportunities for local young people facing barriers to work.” 

    Convener of the Council’s Climate Change and Sustainability Committee, Councillor Richard Watters said: ‘This new reuse service is a great step forward in the Council’s net-zero ambitions. By donating a mattress you are giving it a second life, saving valuable resources from being sent to Energy from Waste and supporting a long-established local charity in PUSH.”   

    Head of Resource Management at Zero Waste Scotland, Stuart Murray commented: “Zero Waste Scotland is delighted to champion mattress reuse in Perth and Kinross, thanks to the Recycling Improvement Fund- a Scottish Government fund designed to help Local Authorities improve recycling services and infrastructure.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Plea from Manchester health chiefs: Let’s not go back for the future. Why we have to keep Victorian diseases in the past

    Source: City of Manchester

    Don’t let history repeat itself, says Manchester’s public health team, as they urge parents and carers to take action now to stop preventable Victorian diseases like Measles and typhoid return

    Their plea comes as schools prepare for summer and families are set to travel for their holidays – which also increases the possibility for picking up or spreading diseases in unvaccinated people.

    In particular, cases of measles are starting to increase across the country. There was no vaccination available during the Victorian era, which meant rapid spread of the disease and the mortality rate was high from associated complications like pneumonia.

    Without today’s knowledge and approach they were frequently limited to using soaps and oils. “We can’t go back to the past for the future,” says Dr Cordelle Ofori, Manchester’s Director of Public Health. “In Manchester we want everyone to have the chance to have as much protection as possible and take up our free vaccinations offer.

    “It’s totally understandable that parents or carers want as much detail as possible about the vaccinations, so please do ask any questions from your doctor or pharmacist, or health champions in your areas. NHS-trained health champions are local people, who live near you and are able to ask questions to medical teams on your behalf.”

    Cllr Thomas Robinson, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Adult Social Care, continues: “It’s never too late to come forward for the MMR vaccination – and if you do not know if you or your family have had it, please ask your GP. Where there is no record of having had the vaccinations, it is better to have them to be on the safe side.”

    As part of a preventative stance, Manchester is writing to all parents or carers of school-age children to give them more details on vaccinations and other travel advice.

    They are also sending it with a link to a bespoke guide for Manchester on how the body can be affected by certain diseases when people are not vaccinated. The booklet can be downloaded here: https://www.manchesterlco.org/childhood-vaccinations/

    This is so that parents can act quickly now through free vaccinations with their GP and also so that they are ready for when schools return in September.  Key travel advice for parents or carers ahead of the holidays has a focus on Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) – all of which were prevalent in Victorian times.

    Hepatitis A This affects your liver. You can catch it from dirty water or food, or from someone who has it. Your child might:

    • Feel very hot and tired
    • Feel sick
    • Have yellow eyes or skin
    • Have dark urine
    • Have a sore tummy

    For more detail: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hepatitis-a/

    Typhoid This affects your whole body and can be very dangerous. Your child might:

    • Feel very hot
    • Have a headache
    • Have sore muscles
    • Have loose stools or constipation

    For more detail: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/typhoid-fever/

    Measles This spreads very easily from person to person. It can be very dangerous for young children and can even cause brain swelling. Your child might:

    • Have a runny nose
    • Sneeze and cough
    • Have red, sore eyes
    • Feel very hot
    • Have red-brown spots on their skin

    For more detail: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles/  

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Male pedestrian in critical condition after being hit by vehicle near Burnie

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Male pedestrian in critical condition after being hit by vehicle near Burnie

    Wednesday, 16 July 2025 – 6:42 am.

    A male pedestrian is in a critical condition after being hit by a vehicle on the Bass Highway, Round Hill, near Burnie overnight.Police and emergency services were called to attend the crash about 11.10pm after a vehicle travelling in an easterly direction collided with a male pedestrian who was on the roadway.Police, Tasmania Ambulance and State Emergency Services attended the scene where the east bound lane was closed for a period of time and traffic diverted.The male pedestrian was taken to the North-West Regional Hospital in Burnie for treatment for life threatening injuries and is currently in a critical condition.The sole occupant and driver of the vehicle received a minor injury and was also treated at the North-West Regional Hospital but later released.Further specialist police units from Western Crash Investigation Services and Western Forensics attended the scene with investigations into the crash continuing.Police are seeking any information from members of the public who may have witnessed or captured a male dressed in dark clothing on the Bass Highway near the Round Hill Lighthouse prior to the crash occurring in particular dash cam footage.Police would like to thank those members of the public who assisted at the crash prior to emergency services arrival.Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: American Academy of Nursing Announces its 2025 Fellows Including Three UConn School of Nursing Faculty

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    UConn School of Nursing faculty Mallory Perry-Eaddy, Ph.D., RN, CCRN, Tiffany Kelley, Ph.D., MBA, RN, NI-BC, FNAP, and Gee Su Yang, Ph.D., RN, will be inducted as 2025 Fellows into the American Academy of Nursing this fall.

    “The induction of Mallory, Tiffany, Gee Su, and our distinguished UConn Nursing alumni into the American Academy of Nursing represents a profound acknowledgment of their scholarly excellence and transformative impact on the nursing profession,” says Victoria Vaughan Dickson, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, Dean of the School of Nursing. “Their exemplary contributions to advancing health equity, shaping clinical practice, and informing health policy resonate on both national and global levels, embodying the highest ideals of academic and professional nursing leadership.”

    The newest Fellows represent 42 states, the District of Columbia, and 12 countries. Their extensive expertise will enrich the thought leadership of the over 3,200 Academy Fellows who together advance the Academy’s mission of improving health and achieving health equity by impacting policy through nursing leadership, innovation, and science.

    The inductees will be recognized at the Academy’s annual Health Policy Conference, taking place on October 16-18, 2025, in Washington, DC. This year’s conference theme is “Impact Through Integrity and Trust: Our Role as Navigators and Translators” which will focus on shaping the future of healthcare and fulfilling the Academy’s vision of “Healthy Lives for All People.”

    “I cannot emphasize enough at this pivotal time in history the vital importance of recognizing this extraordinary and sizeable group of nurse leaders. With rich and varied backgrounds from practice, policy, research, entrepreneurship, and academia, they have been instrumental in using nursing’s holistic approach to improve the health of patients and communities throughout the world,” said Academy President Linda D. Scott, Ph.D., RN, NEA-BC, FADLN, FNAP, FAAN. “Induction into the Academy represents the highest honor in nursing. Earning the FAAN (Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing) credential is a prestigious recognition of one’s accomplishments and signifies the power of nursing to transform health and enact positive outcomes.”

    Mallory Perry-Eaddy, Ph.D., RN, CCRN (Contributed Photo)

    Mallory Perry-Eaddy, Ph.D., RN, CCRN

    Perry-Eaddy is an assistant professor whose research focuses on pediatric critical care outcomes as they relate to inflammation and social determinants of health.

    Perry-Eaddy has been with the school for many years, receiving her BSN, Certificate in Pain Management, MS, and Ph.D. from the UConn School of Nursing. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania.

    In 2022, she was named a National Institute of Health (NIH) PRIDE Functional and Translational Genomics Scholar, and in 2021, she was named a NIH K99/R00 MOSAIC Scholar where she is currently completing her R00.

    She is an active member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, Pediatric Acute Lung Injury and Sepsis Investigators, American Thoracic Society and the Society of Critical Care Medicine where she is an editorial board member for Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. She is also an invited advisory board member to the Sepsis Alliance.

    “I am deeply honored and grateful to be inducted as a Fellow into the American Academy of Nursing. This recognition affirms my commitment to advancing the science of pediatric critical care, with a focus on improving long-term outcomes for children after sepsis and critical illness,” said Perry-Eaddy. “Through my research, and as a Fellow, I aim to elevate survivor-centered care, address health disparities, and inform policy that supports recovery beyond the intensive care unit (ICU). I am excited to join this esteemed community of nurse leaders and to contribute to shaping the future of nursing and child health.”

    Tiffany Kelley, Ph.D., MBA, RN, NI-BC, FNAP (Contributed Photo)

    Tiffany Kelley, Ph.D., MBA, RN, NI-BC, FNAP

    Kelley is an in-residence professor and co-director of the Nursing and Engineering Innovation Center at UConn School of Nursing. She earned her Ph.D. from Duke University, MS and MBA from Northeastern University, and BSN from Georgetown University.

    Kelley joined UConn in 2018 where she was appointed to serve as the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation Visiting Associate Professor for Innovations and New Knowledge, a first-of-its-kind role. Her goal was to develop and execute a strategic plan to integrate innovation into the core education across all degree programs. Outcomes of her pioneering initiatives have enabled her to co-direct the creation of a Nursing and Engineering Innovation Center and assist in the design of a unique Makerspace for the new School of Nursing building, further solidifying nursing’s innovation leadership at UConn.

    Kelley’s impact in nursing spans across the nation and globe through her collective academic, intrapreneurial, inventive, and entrepreneurial roles in innovation, informatics, and associated leadership in nursing. Over the last 20 years, she has relentlessly worked to advance the nursing profession by expanding the boundaries of what is possible in nursing through her own journey in creating a novel pathway that straddles academia and industry while also educating and mentoring nurses and nursing students on how to create and develop their own intrapreneurial and entrepreneurial innovative solutions.

    Her national and international recognition of impact is shown through her receipt of American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) Excellence and Innovation in Teaching Award, induction into the National Academies of Practice in Nursing as a Distinguished Fellow, and an invitation from Singapore’s Ministry of Health in 2024 to serve as a Health Manpower Development Visiting Expert on Innovation, Informatics, and Digital Health.

    “Our future needs nurses who reimagine nursing and healthcare to create positive changes that address human health problems in this rapidly evolving digital age. We have not yet fully realized the benefits of digital health innovative tools on advancing nursing practice, workforce operations, and global health,” said Kelley. “As a Fellow, I aim to further my reach and serve as an exemplar for amplifying nurse-led innovation and digital health while leading others to do the same.”

    Gee Su Yang, Ph.D., RN (Contributed Photo)

    Gee Su Yang, Ph.D., RN

    Yang is an assistant professor at UConn and is recognized for her work in cancer survivorship, particularly in addressing cognitive impairment, sleep disturbances, pain, fatigue, and depressive symptoms, as well as symptom management strategies using multi-omics approaches. She has garnered numerous grants from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health, Oncology Nursing Foundation, Rockefeller University, American Nurses Foundation, American Society for Pain Management Nursing, Connecticut Breast Health Initiative, and the UConn Clinical Research and Innovation Seed Program.

    She has played a central role in planning and conducting clinical cancer research focused on the adverse toxicities and symptoms of cancer treatment to optimize benefits from treatment. She actively engages with cancer survivors, oncologists, and community partners to enhance research participation, raise awareness, and promote education on cancer survivorship.

    Her work pioneered investigations into the adverse effects and symptoms of emerging treatments, such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy, as well as their behavioral and gut mechanisms in the precision health symptom science field.

    In acknowledgment of the impact of her work, she was recognized as a prestigious Heilbrunn Nurse Scholar by the Rockefeller University Heilbrunn Family Center for Research Nursing for her immunotherapy-associated symptom research and its potential to advance the field. In addition, she was selected as a Butler-Williams Scholar by the National Institute on Aging to support her immunotherapy study in older adults.

    Yang has also been tapped to serve as a review panelist for NIH study sections, the Oncology Nursing Foundation, UConn Research Excellence Program, and many more. Her work contributes to the growth of nurses and advocacy for scientific and professional development by influencing policy changes in research, supporting recognition of nurses’ achievements, and reviewing numerous conference abstracts, manuscripts, and scholarship applications in several professional societies.

    “Being inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing is a great honor and recognition that motivates me to strengthen my program of research in precision health symptom science to advance scientific discoveries and benefit cancer survivors,” said Yang.

    Congratulating our Fellows

    Alumni Judith Hahn Ph.D. ‘14, Barbara Jacobs Ph.D. ‘02, Wendy Lord BS ’94, Lisa Sundean Ph.D. ’17, and Amy D’Agata MS ’04, Ph.D. ’15, were also selected as 2025 fellows, following a competitive, rigorous application process.

    The School of Nursing would like to congratulate these newest Fellows as influential nursing leaders who are advancing health equity for all.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: North Carolina Zoo Mourns the Passing of Director Pat Simmons

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: North Carolina Zoo Mourns the Passing of Director Pat Simmons

    North Carolina Zoo Mourns the Passing of Director Pat Simmons
    jejohnson6

    It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of Pat Simmons, Director and CEO of the North Carolina Zoo on July 14, 2025. Simmons had courageously battled cancer for nearly five years.

    Pat Simmons was a highly respected zoo director within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Simmons had more than 41 years of experience leading AZA-accredited zoos: the Akron Zoo in Ohio from 1985 to 2014 and the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro from 2015 to 2025. She was Chairwoman of the Board of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2012, and was appointed to the Board of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) from 2015 to 2021.

    Simmons was nationally and internationally recognized in the zoo and aquarium industry, receiving numerous awards and appointments in support of wildlife conservation, sustainability, and women in leadership roles.

    Simmons was renowned as a visionary leader. She spearheaded Vision (2016) and Master Planning (2018 and 2024-2025) for the North Carolina Zoo. Out of these plans, Simmons established an upcoming decade of growth for the Zoo, starting with Asia. The 12.5-acre Asia region will open in June 2026, the first major expansion at the North Carolina Zoo since 1994. Australia, the next continent, is fully funded and slated to open in 2029. The replacement Aviary/Amazon (which is partially funded) completes this period of continent expansion at the North Carolina Zoo. These vibrant new habitats, which will feature some of the world’s most extraordinary animals and plants, will be cherished for generations to come.

    Cheryl Armstrong, the Executive Director of the North Carolina Zoo Society, remarked, “Pat laughed easily and often and extended her warmth toward everyone. The Zoo Society family will always remain grateful for the wisdom, caring, and friendship Pat Simmons shared with us. As much as we will miss her, we know the good she achieved during her lifetime will not stop now. The kindness, integrity, and moxie that Pat instilled in the people who knew her will survive long into the future to help make the world a better place for all its inhabitants.”

    Pat Simmons’ mission was to inspire people to be stewards of the natural world and protect the diversity of animals and plants. Towards this, Simmons prioritized the interconnections between humans, plants, and animals through modern habitat design, award-winning educational programming, and memorable guest experiences. Under Simmons’ leadership, the North Carolina Zoo’s lauded wildlife conservation program has flourished on a global scale. The North Carolina Zoo also took the top award for Sustainability from the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) in 2021. In 2024, the North Carolina Zoo became a certified Botanical Garden through Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BCGI), a longtime dream for the Zoo.

    “The North Carolina Zoo is internationally recognized as one of the very best—and that didn’t happen by accident. It is due in large part to the thoughtful and innovative leadership of Pat Simmons,” said N.C. Secretary of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell. “To say she’s beloved at the Zoo and beyond is an understatement. On behalf of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, we extend our deepest condolences to her family and friends and thank her on behalf of our state.”

    To know Simmons was to love her. She was a force to be reckoned with, and she made a significant impact during her tenure at the North Carolina Zoo. Those who worked with Simmons described her as immensely funny, smart, and loved by many. She was a sought-after mentor and counselor, helping many find their true passion. Her legacy in the zoo community will carry on through those she touched throughout her lifetime.

    The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the North Carolina Zoo extend our sincere and deepest condolences to the Simmons Family. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and all she knew throughout her life.

    About the North Carolina Zoo  
    At the North Carolina Zoo, we celebrate nature. As the world’s largest natural habitat Zoo, we inspire a lifelong curiosity about animals in the hundreds of thousands of people who visit our Zoo each year. Our dedicated team of experts provides exceptional, compassionate care for the more than 1,700 animals and 52,000 plants that call our Park home. We also lead efforts locally and globally to protect wildlife and wild places because we believe nature’s diversity is critical for our collective future. The North Carolina Zoo invites all of our guests to witness the majesty of the wild in the heart of North Carolina and welcomes everyone to join in our mission to protect nature’s diversity. Visit NCZoo.org to begin your life-changing journey.

    About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
    The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

    The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
    Jul 15, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: North Carolina Zoo Mourns the Passing of Director Pat Simmons

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: North Carolina Zoo Mourns the Passing of Director Pat Simmons

    North Carolina Zoo Mourns the Passing of Director Pat Simmons
    jejohnson6

    It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of Pat Simmons, Director and CEO of the North Carolina Zoo on July 14, 2025. Simmons had courageously battled cancer for nearly five years.

    Pat Simmons was a highly respected zoo director within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Simmons had more than 41 years of experience leading AZA-accredited zoos: the Akron Zoo in Ohio from 1985 to 2014 and the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro from 2015 to 2025. She was Chairwoman of the Board of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2012, and was appointed to the Board of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) from 2015 to 2021.

    Simmons was nationally and internationally recognized in the zoo and aquarium industry, receiving numerous awards and appointments in support of wildlife conservation, sustainability, and women in leadership roles.

    Simmons was renowned as a visionary leader. She spearheaded Vision (2016) and Master Planning (2018 and 2024-2025) for the North Carolina Zoo. Out of these plans, Simmons established an upcoming decade of growth for the Zoo, starting with Asia. The 12.5-acre Asia region will open in June 2026, the first major expansion at the North Carolina Zoo since 1994. Australia, the next continent, is fully funded and slated to open in 2029. The replacement Aviary/Amazon (which is partially funded) completes this period of continent expansion at the North Carolina Zoo. These vibrant new habitats, which will feature some of the world’s most extraordinary animals and plants, will be cherished for generations to come.

    Cheryl Armstrong, the Executive Director of the North Carolina Zoo Society, remarked, “Pat laughed easily and often and extended her warmth toward everyone. The Zoo Society family will always remain grateful for the wisdom, caring, and friendship Pat Simmons shared with us. As much as we will miss her, we know the good she achieved during her lifetime will not stop now. The kindness, integrity, and moxie that Pat instilled in the people who knew her will survive long into the future to help make the world a better place for all its inhabitants.”

    Pat Simmons’ mission was to inspire people to be stewards of the natural world and protect the diversity of animals and plants. Towards this, Simmons prioritized the interconnections between humans, plants, and animals through modern habitat design, award-winning educational programming, and memorable guest experiences. Under Simmons’ leadership, the North Carolina Zoo’s lauded wildlife conservation program has flourished on a global scale. The North Carolina Zoo also took the top award for Sustainability from the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) in 2021. In 2024, the North Carolina Zoo became a certified Botanical Garden through Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BCGI), a longtime dream for the Zoo.

    “The North Carolina Zoo is internationally recognized as one of the very best—and that didn’t happen by accident. It is due in large part to the thoughtful and innovative leadership of Pat Simmons,” said N.C. Secretary of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell. “To say she’s beloved at the Zoo and beyond is an understatement. On behalf of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, we extend our deepest condolences to her family and friends and thank her on behalf of our state.”

    To know Simmons was to love her. She was a force to be reckoned with, and she made a significant impact during her tenure at the North Carolina Zoo. Those who worked with Simmons described her as immensely funny, smart, and loved by many. She was a sought-after mentor and counselor, helping many find their true passion. Her legacy in the zoo community will carry on through those she touched throughout her lifetime.

    The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the North Carolina Zoo extend our sincere and deepest condolences to the Simmons Family. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and all she knew throughout her life.

    About the North Carolina Zoo  
    At the North Carolina Zoo, we celebrate nature. As the world’s largest natural habitat Zoo, we inspire a lifelong curiosity about animals in the hundreds of thousands of people who visit our Zoo each year. Our dedicated team of experts provides exceptional, compassionate care for the more than 1,700 animals and 52,000 plants that call our Park home. We also lead efforts locally and globally to protect wildlife and wild places because we believe nature’s diversity is critical for our collective future. The North Carolina Zoo invites all of our guests to witness the majesty of the wild in the heart of North Carolina and welcomes everyone to join in our mission to protect nature’s diversity. Visit NCZoo.org to begin your life-changing journey.

    About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
    The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

    The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
    Jul 15, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 513

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL3

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 513
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    255 PM CDT Tue Jul 15 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
    Upper Peninsula Michigan
    Central and North-Central Minnesota
    Northern Wisconsin
    Lake Superior

    * Effective this Tuesday afternoon and evening from 255 PM until
    1000 PM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2
    inches in diameter possible
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

    SUMMARY…Scattered clusters of strong to severe thunderstorms will
    likely develop through the remainder of the afternoon and persist
    into the evening. The stronger thunderstorms will be capable of a
    risk for large hail and severe gusts.

    The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 45
    statute miles north and south of a line from 30 miles south
    southwest of Alexandria MN to 115 miles east of Ironwood MI. For a
    complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline
    update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU3).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
    favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
    Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
    weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
    warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
    tornadoes.

    &&

    AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
    2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A
    few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
    26025.

    …Smith

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW3
    WW 513 SEVERE TSTM MI MN WI LS 151955Z – 160300Z
    AXIS..45 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF LINE..
    30SSW AXN/ALEXANDRIA MN/ – 115E IWD/IRONWOOD MI/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 40NM N/S /64NNW RWF – 17NW SAW/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..2 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 26025.

    LAT…LON 46129564 47168771 45858771 44829564

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU3.

    Watch 513 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Low (10%)

    Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

    Low ( 65 knots

    Low (20%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Mod (40%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Mod (30%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    High (70%)

    For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Control fire and ferals in Australia’s tropical savannas to bring the small mammals back

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alyson Stobo-Wilson, Research Adjunct in Conservation Ecology, Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University

    Alyson Stobo-Wilson

    In remote central Arnhem Land, finding a northern brushtail possum is encouraging for the local Indigenous rangers. Though once common, such small native mammals are now rare. Many are threatened with extinction.

    Over the past 30 years, small mammals have been disappearing from Australia’s tropical savannas. This landscape is among the nation’s most remote and seemingly untouched. But it is no longer safe from feral animals, overgrazing livestock, poor fire management and other threats.

    Despite growing awareness of the problem, a lack of consensus on the most effective management actions has hindered efforts to reverse these losses. Our new research sought to overcome this hurdle and finally reach consensus on the best way forward.

    We achieved this by working with experts from various land management groups and research institutes, including Traditional Owners and Indigenous rangers within the region.

    Building on 15 years of targeted research

    In 2010, the scale and severity of mammal declines in northern Australia became clear. Research in Kakadu National Park found the number of native mammal species at survey sites had halved, and the number of individual animals dropped by more than two-thirds.

    This prompted a major review of the causes, and more research.

    Advances in technology played a crucial role in efforts to gather further evidence. Motion-activated cameras known as camera traps enabled monitoring over vast areas.

    Extensive surveys using camera traps provided data on the distribution and abundance of small mammals and feral cats. Meanwhile, collar-mounted GPS units and video cameras provided new information about feral cat behaviour.

    Feral cat caught on a camera-trap in Arnhem Land.
    Alyson Stobo-Wilson

    What we did and what we found

    Our new research concerns the higher-rainfall tropical savannas of the Northern Territory and Western Australia. This area covers 950,000 square kilometres from the Kimberley in the west to the Gulf of Carpentaria in the east.

    First we reviewed the literature on the topic of small mammal declines in the region. We found more than 100 relevant studies had been published since 2010.

    From these research papers, we identified 11 plausible threats to small mammals. Then we asked 19 experts to score and rank each threat according to severity and scale, and whether the threat could be effectively mitigated.

    We found the most severe and widespread threat to small mammals was feral cats. But broad-scale cat control is not very effective.

    Ranked second was the habitat destruction caused by livestock (buffalo, horses, donkeys and cattle) and by inappropriate patterns of fire.

    Actions aimed at reducing feral livestock numbers and improving fire regimes would increase vital resources such as food and shelter. Such actions can also make it harder for cats to prey on small mammals.

    Feral cattle graze in the savanna woodland of the northern Kimberley.
    Ian Radford

    Future threats and research priorities

    Habitat loss from land clearing for urban, agricultural or industrial development currently affects only a small proportion of northwestern Australia. But proposed expansions — particularly for cotton and other intensive agriculture — are concerning. These developments overlap with high-rainfall areas in the Top End, where small mammal communities are still relatively intact.

    Our expert group also expressed deep concern and uncertainty about the future as the climate changes. Rising temperatures and more intense rainfall events are expected to increase the frequency, extent and severity of fires. However, managing feral livestock and improving fire regimes can make the ecosystem more resilient to change.

    Developing more effective tools to directly control feral cats remains a top research priority. It’s estimated cats kill around 452 million native mammals a year in Australia. About a third of these deaths occur in the tropical savannas. So while improved land management will alleviate some pressure, certain species will remain highly vulnerable unless cats can be better managed.

    Water buffalo were introduced to northern Australia in the early-1800s, becoming widespread by the mid-1800s.
    Alyson Stobo-Wilson

    Support Indigenous leadership on Country

    Globally, Indigenous stewardship is closely linked to improved biodiversity outcomes.

    In Australia, the historic disruption of Indigenous customary responsibilities — especially fire management — has contributed to the loss of small mammals.

    Fortunately, Indigenous ranger programs and Indigenous Protected Areas have expanded in recent years. Increasingly widespread recognition and application of Indigenous knowledge has deepened and broadened our understanding of mammal declines.

    In northern Australia, Indigenous ranger groups are global leaders in fire management. They monitor and manage some of the most remote and inaccessible parts of the continent. The land management actions needed to conserve our small mammals rely in large part on the continued support and funding of these groups.

    Unfortunately, these programs are under threat. The NT government recently cut A$12 million from its Indigenous ranger funding program.

    While the federal government has committed funding to expand ranger programs nationally, ranger groups say the investment falls short of what’s needed. Mimal Land Management Aboriginal Corporation chief executive officer Dominic Nicholls told us:

    Given the scale at which Indigenous ranger groups operate – and the critical role they play in protecting Australia’s biodiversity and leading innovation in the carbon industry – the level of allocated funding is insufficient to meet the basic delivery costs of these programs.

    A clear path forward

    Our research shows reducing feral livestock numbers and improving fire regimes in northern Australia currently offers the greatest benefit to small mammal populations — especially in the absence of effective cat controls.

    But success will depend on sustained, long-term support for Indigenous rangers, who carry out much of this work. Investing in these programs is not just essential for conserving biodiversity — it also supports cultural connection, community wellbeing and climate resilience.

    The authors gratefully acknowledge the Traditional Knowledge offered by participants from Mimal Land Management Aboriginal Corporation and Warddeken Land Management Limited as part of this research.

    This research was funded by CSIRO. The research benefited from the involvement of researchers and land managers from CSIRO, Charles Darwin University, Warddeken Land Management Limited, Australian National University, Mimal Land Management Aboriginal Corporation, Australian Wildlife Conservancy, the WA and NT governments, Kangaroo Island Landscape Board, Ground Up: Planning and Ecology Support, Dunkeld Pastoral Co Pty Ltd and Desert Support Services.

    John Woinarski has previously received funding from the Australian government’s National Environment Science Program. He is affiliated with Charles Darwin University, a member of the Biodiversity Council and a director of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

    – ref. Control fire and ferals in Australia’s tropical savannas to bring the small mammals back – https://theconversation.com/control-fire-and-ferals-in-australias-tropical-savannas-to-bring-the-small-mammals-back-260813

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How safe are the chemicals in sunscreen? A pharmacology expert explains

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Musgrave, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology, University of Adelaide

    aquaArts studio/Getty

    Last week, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) released its safety review of seven active ingredients commonly used in sunscreens.

    It found five were low-risk and appropriate for use in sunscreens at their current concentrations.

    However, the TGA recommended tighter restrictions on two ingredients – homosalate and oxybenzone – to reduce how much can be used in a product. This is based on uncertainty about their potential effects on the endocrine system, which creates and releases hormones.

    This news, together with recent reports some products may have inflated their claims of SPF coverage, might make Australians worried about whether their sunscreen products are working – and safe.

    But it’s not time to abandon sunscreens. In Australia, all sunscreens must pass a strict approval process before going on the market. The TGA tests the safety and efficacy of all ingredients, and this recent review is part of the TGA’s continuing commitment to safety.

    The greatest threat sunscreen poses to Australians’ health is not using it.

    Australia has the highest incidence of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer worldwide, and approximately 95% of melanoma cases in Australia are linked to ultraviolet (UV) exposure.

    Still, it’s understandable people want to know what’s in their products, and any changes that might affect them. So let’s take a closer look at the safety review and what it found.

    What are the active ingredients in sunscreen?

    There are two main types of sunscreen: physical and chemical. This is based on the different active ingredients they use.

    An active ingredient is a chemical component in a product that has an effect on the body – basically, what makes the product “work”.

    In sunscreens, this is the compound that absorbs UV rays from the Sun. The other ingredients – for example, those that give the sunscreen its smell or help the skin absorb it – are “inactive”.

    Physical sunscreens typically use minerals, such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, that can absorb the Sun’s rays but also reflect some of them.

    Chemical sunscreens use a variety of chemical ingredients to absorb or scatter UV light, both long wave (UVA) or short wave (UVB).

    The seven active ingredients in this review are in chemical sunscreens.

    Why did the TGA do the review?

    Our current limits for the concentrations of these chemicals in sunscreen are generally consistent with other regulatory agencies, such as the European Union and the US Food and Drug Administration.

    However, safety is an evolving subject. The TGA periodically reexamines the safety of all therapeutic goods.

    Last year, the TGA revised its method of estimating sunscreen exposure to more closely model how skin is exposed to sunscreens over time.

    This model considers how much sunscreen someone typically applies, how much skin they cover (whole body versus face and hands, or just face) and how it’s absorbed through the skin.

    Given this new model – along with changes in the EU and US approaches to sunscreen regulation – the TGA selected seven common sunscreen ingredients to investigate in depth.

    Determining what’s safe

    When evaluating whether chemicals are safe for human use, testing will often consider studies in animals – especially when there is no or limited data on humans. These animal tests are done by the manufacturers, not the TGA.

    To take into account any unforeseen sensitivity humans may have to these chemicals, a “margin of safety” is built in. This is typically a concentration 50–100 times lower than the dose at which no negative effect was seen in animals.

    The sunscreen review used a margin of safety 100 times lower than this dose as the safety threshold.

    For most of the seven investigated sunscreen chemicals, the TGA found the margin of safety was above 100.

    This means they’re considered safe and low-risk for long-term use.

    However, two ingredients, homosalate and oxybenzone, were found to be below 100. This was based on the highest estimated sunscreen exposure, applied to the body at the maximum permitted concentration: 15% for homosalate, 10% for oxybenzone.

    At lower concentrations, other uses – such as just the hands and face – could be considered low-risk for both ingredients.

    What are the health concerns?

    Homosalate and oxybenzone have low acute oral toxicity – meaning you would need to swallow a lot of it to experience toxic effects, nearly half a kilogram of these chemicals – and don’t cause irritation to eyes or skin.

    There is inconclusive evidence about oxybenzone potentially causing cancer in rats and mice – but only at concentrations to which humans will never be exposed via sunscreens.

    The key issue is whether the two ingredients affect the endocrine system.

    While effects have been seen at high concentrations in animal studies, it is not clear whether these translate to humans exposed to sunscreen levels.

    No effect has been seen in clinical studies on fertility, hormones, weight gain and, in pregnant women, fetal development.

    The TGA is being very cautious here, using a very wide margin of safety under worst-case scenarios.

    What are the recommendations?

    The TGA recommends the allowed concentration of homosalate and oxybenzone be reduced.

    But exactly how much it will be lowered is complicated, depending on whether the product is intended for adults or children, specifically for face, or the whole body, and so on.

    However, some sunscreens would need to be reformulated or warning labels placed on particular formulations. The exact changes will be decided after public consultation. Submissions close on August 12.

    What about benzophenone?

    There is also some evidence benzophenone – a chemical produced when sunscreen that contains octocrylene degrades – may cause cancer at high concentrations.

    This is based on studies in which mice and rats were fed benzophenone well above the concentration in sunscreens.

    Octocrylene degrades slowly over time to benzophenone. Heat makes it degrade faster, especially at temperatures above 40°C.

    The TGA has recommended restricting benzophenone to 0.0383% in sunscreens to ensure it remains safe during the product’s shelf life.

    The Cancer Council advises storing sunscreens below 30°C.

    The bottom line

    The proposed restrictions are very conservative, based on worst-case scenarios.

    But even in worst-case scenarios, the margin of safety for these ingredients is still below the level at which any negative effect was seen in animals.

    The threat of cancer from sun exposure is far more serious than any potential negative effect from sunscreens.

    If you do wish to avoid these chemicals before new limits are imposed, several sunscreens are available that provide high levels of protection with little or no homosalate and oxybenzone. For more information, consult product labels.

    Ian Musgrave has received funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council to study adverse reactions to herbal medicines and has previously been funded by the Australian Research Council to study potential natural product treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. He is currently a member of one of the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s statutory councils.

    – ref. How safe are the chemicals in sunscreen? A pharmacology expert explains – https://theconversation.com/how-safe-are-the-chemicals-in-sunscreen-a-pharmacology-expert-explains-260802

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia’s census is getting a stress test – keeping it going is good for everyone

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Liz Allen, Demographer, POLIS Centre for Social Policy Research, Australian National University

    GoldPanter/Shutterstock

    The Australian Bureau of Statistics will roll out a large-scale census test next month.

    About 60,000 households will take part across the country to stress test the bureau’s collection processes and IT systems, ahead of next year’s full scale census. The survey questions change little, if at all, between the dry run and the census proper.

    The population count will offer Australians an opportunity to reflect on who we are and the stories we share.

    It comes at a time when traditional censuses are coming under threat worldwide.

    Dying days of census

    Census plays a significant part of the story of humanity. Jesus was born in a stable because a census ordered by Caesar Augusta had brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem.

    They have changed down the centuries. But some things remain the same: the data collected is crucial for taxation, political representation and socio-economic indicators.

    But national head counts are costly and cause enormous headaches for governments.

    Vintage census television ad.

    In other countries, censuses are being killed off, replaced with information compiled by other means, such as administrative government data and population surveys. Think of the overseas versions of Medicare, Centrelink and the Tax Office.

    National statistical offices in the United Kingdom and New Zealand have both flagged the end of traditional censuses

    The UK Office of National Statistics had been preparing for census replacement since 2011, only backtracking after a public backlash.

    Devastating under-enumeration of Maori New Zealanders in 2013 and 2018 meant administrative data was needed to supplement the 2023 NZ census. National data agency, Stats NZ, has now called it quits on traditional census altogether.

    Funding cuts in Canada saw dual short- and long-form questionnaires which resulted in the partial collection of crucial socio-economic data akin to a sample survey. Statistics Canada now uses administrative and survey data to help meet its official statistics program.

    Do we still need the census?

    Replacing the census was floated a decade ago when dwindling government funding saw the Australian Bureau of Statistics struggling to “keep the lights on”.

    Worried after 2016’s “censusfail”, the agency sought to ensure legislatively required data could be achieved even in the absence of a census. The bureau collected population and housing data using experimental administrative data, proving a national census isn’t necessarily needed for population estimates.

    Costs associated with running a five-yearly head count and the decline in the social licence to collect such data are routinely used as justifications for replacing the census. Why conduct a wartime-like undertaking when you don’t have to?

    The threat to the traditional census comes as no surprise to data scientists. Data is now ubiquitous, covering nearly every aspect of our lives – loyalty rewards, public transport cards and even frequent flyer points.

    But there’s so much heavy lifting only a census can do and it’s crucial to helping Australia understand its diverse population.

    More than just numbers

    Data helps contextualise our lives.

    Data made me feel less alone as a young person. I could see I wasn’t the only person doing it tough. Poverty wasn’t my fault, rather a wider structural problem politicians and policymakers failed to understand.

    Being missed by the 1996 census as a homeless teen drives me to ensure Australia’s national census snapshot reflects the needs of the country.

    Data holds powerful truths and has the capability to heal through information. Who we are, how and where we live, our commonalities and differences, and what might come next.

    The Australian Bureau of Statistics is finding increasingly creative ways to communicate and bring Australians along for the ride.

    Its outreach through social media makes data more accessible and fun.

    The paraphernalia promoting previous censuses make it clear how much the agency is invested in ensuring complete coverage of all people. A significant departure from the stuffy practices of national statistical offices overseas.

    Small solar powered census-at-school calculators have been given to pupils to help increase awareness among linguistically diverse communities. This is recognition children complete the census questionnaire in some families.

    Desks of cards gifted to homeless people sleeping rough attests to the bureau’s dedication to ensuring all people are counted, no matter where or how they live

    Behind The News’s take on the census.

    More inclusive family photograph

    But it hasn’t always been plain sailing for the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

    Last year’s unprecedented government interference in the independent conduct of the bureau resulted in proposed questions on sexuality and gender diversity being dumped from the 2026 census.

    Scheduled testing was cancelled and related printed materials were likely pulped.

    A public outcry forced a government back down with the sorry saga clearly demonstrating a myriad of critical data cannot be collected by other means.

    The upcoming census family photograph will be more inclusive – Australians will have the opportunity to have their gender identity and sexual orientation reflected in the tally.

    Family ancestry information will be broadened, and the questionnaire itself will better reflect Australian households overall.

    The alternative to a census is a private, behind-closed-doors collation of personal information by government.

    The good news is Australia’s census is alive and well and keeping up with the times.

    Liz Allen worked as a graduate at the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2006. She receives funding from the Australian Research Council for work examining grandparenting in Australia. Liz is a member of the National Foundation of Australian Women Social Policy Committee.

    – ref. Australia’s census is getting a stress test – keeping it going is good for everyone – https://theconversation.com/australias-census-is-getting-a-stress-test-keeping-it-going-is-good-for-everyone-261077

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Coming up next week at the London Assembly w/c July 7

    Source: Mayor of London

    PUBLICATION

    Thursday 10 July

    Affordable Housing Monitor

    Housing Committee

    The annual Affordable Housing Monitor tracks the Mayor’s progress against his affordable home delivery targets.

    PUBLIC MEETINGS

    Monday 7 July

    Internal Audit Reports

    Audit Panel – The Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 2pm

    The Audit Panel will examine internal and external audit reports, as well as the Greater London Authority (GLA) Corporate Risk Register, the Draft Annual Governance Statement and expenses and taxable benefits. The guests are:

    • Mark Woodley – Group Audit Lead, MOPAC
    • Dianne Tranmer – Executive Director Corporate Resources & Business Improvement, GLA
    • Fay Hammond – Chief Finance Officer, GLA
    • Vicky Ridley-Pearson – Director of Digital, Digital Experience Unit, GLA
    • Stephen Reid – Partner & Head of UK Government and Public Sector Audit, EY
    • Jacob McHugh – Senior Manager, EY
    • David Esling – Head of Audit Assurance – Risk Management, MOPAC

    MEDIA CONTACT: Alison Bell on 07887 832 918 / [email protected]

    Tuesday 8 July

    Fare evasion

    Transport Committee – The Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 10am

    The Transport Committee will ask what Transport for London (TfL) is doing to tackle fare evasion and learn more about the impact it has on staff.  The guests are:

    Panel 1 -10am – 11.30am

    • Jared Wood – London Transport Regional Organiser, RMT
    • Michael Roberts – Chief Executive, London TravelWatch

    Panel 2 – 11.30am – 1pm

    • Siwan Hayward OBE – Director of Security, Policing and Enforcement, TfL
    • Jonathan Gronow – Analysis Manager, TfL

    MEDIA CONTACT: Josh Hunt on 07763 252 310 / [email protected]

    Wednesday 9 July

    London’s place in the Government’s Devolution Reforms

    GLA Oversight Committee – The Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 10am

    This third meeting of the GLA Oversight Committee investigation on devolution will aim to identify priority areas for London in any new devolution settlement and assess the opportunities available to London through the English Devolution White Paper and the proposed devolution framework in the English Devolution Bill.  The guests are:

    • Councillor Claire Holland, Chair of London Councils
    • Professor Tony Travers, Professor in Practice and Associate Dean of the LSE School of Public Policy
    • Richard Watts, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Mayor of London

    MEDIA CONTACT: Alison Bell on 07887 832 918 / [email protected]

    Thursday 10 July

    Affordable Housing Monitor

    Housing Committee – The Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 10am

    The Housing Committee will meet with representatives from London boroughs, housing associations, and a supported housing provider to discuss the Mayor’s Affordable Homes Programme.

    These discussions will follow the release of the Affordable Housing Monitor and aim to gather feedback on the existing programme and insights into what investment partners hope to see in the next one. The guests are:

    Panel 1 – 10.00am-11.15am

    • Tom Oliver – Development Programme Director, Peabody
    • Tracey Cullen – Chief Executive & Board Member, Croydon Churches Housing Association
    • Barbara Richardson – Managing Director at Square Roots
    • Heather Thomas – Chief Executive at Sapphire Independent Housing

    Panel 2 – 11.25am-12.40pm

    • Alice Lester MBE – Director of Regeneration, Growth and Employment at the London Borough of Brent
    • Osama Shoush – Housing Strategic Lead, Southwark Council

    MEDIA CONTACT: Josh Hunt on 07763 252 310 / [email protected]
     

    Friday 11 July

    Mayor’s Question Time

    All Assembly meeting – The Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 10am

    The Mayor of London will face questions from London Assembly Members, in Mayor’s Question Time (MQT). Topics will include:

    • Manifesto Pledges
    • Counterterrorism Approach
    • Contaminated land in London
    • Disability Equality Champion

    The guest is:

    • Sir Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London

    MEDIA CONTACT: Alison Bell on 07887 832 918 / [email protected]

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: OmegaPro Founder and Promoter Charged for Running Global $650 Million Foreign Exchange and Crypto Investment Scam

    Source: US FBI

    An indictment was unsealed today in the District of Puerto Rico charging two men for their alleged roles in operating and promoting OmegaPro, an international investment scheme that defrauded victim investors of over $650 million.

    According to court documents, Michael Shannon Sims, 48, of Georgia and Florida, was a founder, strategic consultant, and promoter of OmegaPro, and Juan Carlos Reynoso, 57, of New Jersey and Florida, led OmegaPro’s operations in Latin America and parts of the United States, including Puerto Rico.

    “As alleged, the defendants preyed upon vulnerable individuals in the U.S. and abroad, defrauding them of over $650 million by making false promises of substantial returns and that their money was safe,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Criminal Division is committed to prosecuting these bad actors and pursuing justice for their many victims. Thanks to the dedicated work of our multiagency and international law enforcement partners, we are leading efforts to combat these complex and insidious digital asset investor scams.” 

    “As alleged in the indictment, the defendants operated a global fraud scheme through OmegaPro that deceived investors with false promises of extraordinary returns, only to misappropriate hundreds of millions of victim funds,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico. “We remain committed to dismantling international financial schemes that target U.S. victims — including here in Puerto Rico — and to recovering illicit proceeds through criminal prosecution and asset forfeiture.”

    “The FBI will not stand by while the American public is defrauded,” said Assistant Director Joe Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “Through coordination with our partners, these individuals will have to defend their actions in a court of law.”

    “This case exposes the ruthless reality of modern financial crime,” said Chief Guy Ficco of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). “OmegaPro promised financial freedom but delivered financial ruin – stealing over $650 million from everyday people and vanishing it into virtual currency. These weren’t just scams; they were precision-engineered betrayals. Our job is to stand up for those who’ve been exploited and continue our cross-agency collaboration until those responsible are brought to justice.”

    “This case highlights the critical role international partnerships play in dismantling transnational financial fraud schemes that exploit global markets and victimize unsuspecting investors,” said International Operations Assistant Director Ricardo Mayoral of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “HSI remains committed to working with our partners worldwide to disrupt criminal networks that weaponize emerging technologies to conceal illicit profits and defraud the public.”

    Sims and co-conspirators established OmegaPro in or about January 2019, and Reynoso joined a few months later, in or about April 2019. As alleged, the defendants and others operated and promoted OmegaPro as a multi-level marketing (MLM) scheme for investors to purchase “investment packages,” which the defendants and others falsely promised would generate 300% returns over 16 months through foreign exchange (forex) trading by elite traders. Investors were instructed to purchase these investment packages using virtual currency.

    According to court documents, Sims allegedly misled victims by vouching for OmegaPro’s trading performance and the skills of the hired traders and by falsely advertising the safety of investment in OmegaPro. Reynoso allegedly falsely and misleadingly represented that OmegaPro was operating pursuant to a legitimate license and, at other times, that OmegaPro was not subject to any country’s legal rules. The indictment alleges that Sims and Reynoso, together with co-conspirators, hosted lavish OmegaPro promotional events and trainings all over the world including, for example, projecting the OmegaPro logo onto the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, at an event in Dubai. The objective of these promotional events allegedly was to convince existing and prospective investors that OmegaPro was a legitimate enterprise that offered a path to wealth and a luxurious lifestyle.

    Further, Sims, Reynoso, and their co-conspirators used social media to display their expensive vacations and cars, as well as their designer clothes and watches. The indictment alleges that through the defendants’ and others’ misrepresentations, OmegaPro raised over $650 million in virtual currency from thousands of investors. After OmegaPro announced that it had suffered a network hack, Reynoso and others told victims in or about January 2023 that their investments were secure and that OmegaPro was transferring their investments to another platform called Broker Group. Despite these representations, victims were unable to withdraw money from either their OmegaPro accounts or their accounts at Broker Group, resulting in millions in victim losses.

    The more than $650 million in funds raised from victims allegedly was first sent to virtual currency wallet addresses controlled by OmegaPro executives and then allegedly transferred to OmegaPro insiders and high-ranking promoters to disperse the funds and obscure their origins. As alleged, Sims and Reynoso both profited millions from this scheme.

    Both defendants are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, Sims and Reynoso each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count.

    The FBI, IRS-CI, and HSI New York are investigating the case, with assistance from FBI’s Virtual Asset Unit, HSI Bangkok, HSI Bogota, HSI Frankfurt, HSI Istanbul, HSI London, HSI Miami, HSI New Delhi, HSI The Hague, the Office of the Attorney General of Colombia, and the Joint Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement (J5), an alliance between the Australian Taxation Office, the Canada Revenue Agency, the Dutch Fiscal Intelligence and Investigation Service, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs from the U.K., and IRS-CI.

    Trial Attorneys Ariel Glasner and Tamara Livshiz of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Gottfried for the District of Puerto Rico and on detail to the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section are prosecuting the case.

    If you believe you were potentially victimized by OmegaPro or have information relevant to this investigation, please visit the FBI’s Victim Witness website at forms.fbi.gov/victims/omegaprovictims or contact OmegaProVictims@fbi.gov.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor and LTA partner to open tennis up to thousands more Londoners

    Source: Mayor of London

    • New £500,000 investment from Mayor and LTA will open up the sport to at least 5,500 Londoners in areas with limited opportunities to play
    • Three-year collaboration on Rally Together London will help grow and diversify tennis workforce by training 250 young people to help deliver the sport, over 50% of whom will be women
    • Sadiq has declared London the undisputed global capital for women’s sport in 2025, as women’s tennis returns to the Queen’s Club for first time in over 50 years

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today announced a new partnership with the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) that will open up the sport to more people across London.

    The new three-year collaboration will see a £500,000 investment from the Mayor and the LTA into Rally Together London, a programme which will train 250 people from under-represented backgrounds to join the tennis workforce and facilitate sessions for local communities, with a minimum of 50% to be female.

    The programme will help at least 5,500 more young people to play the sport, who may never otherwise have played. This capitalises on the return this year of women’s tennis to the Queen’s Club as part of the HSBC Championships, and will help open up access to the sport across the whole city.

    Rally Together London will recruit, train and deploy 200 tennis activators to deliver the sport.[1] These activators will help grow the LTA’s Barclays Free Park Tennis programme [2] which offers free, weekly sessions with equipment provided on public park courts, and LTA SERVES[3] which takes tennis to the heart of local communities for young people who may never otherwise have played.

    Through the partnership, a cohort of 50 new tennis coaches will be supported to achieve their LTA Assistant (Level 1) and Instructor (Level 2) qualifications[5] to help grow participation in parks and community venues, and create employment opportunities, again with a particular focus on growing the number of female coaches in the sport.

    The wider partnership will see the Mayor and LTA work together on various initiatives and campaigns to promote women’s tennis and women’s sport across the capital, such as the recent launch of the HSBC Championships with a pop-up tennis court on the city’s iconic Trafalgar Square. The announcement comes as a women’s tennis tournament returned this week to the iconic Queen’s Club for the first time in more than 50 years, with the HSBC Championships 2025 [4] running through to 15 June.

    Many of the world’s best women’s tennis players are competing in West London, including Britain’s own 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu and British No.1 Katie Boulter.

    They are joined by global stars including reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova, reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys and Paris 2024 Olympic Champion Qinwen Zheng. The line up also features former Wimbledon champions in Petra Kvitova and Elena Rybakina.

    The Mayor has declared London the undisputed global capital for women’s sport in 2025 [6]. In addition to the HSBC Championships, the capital is also set to host the Women’s Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham Stadium, which will have a world-record attendance for a standalone women’s rugby XV’s event, as well as football, basketball, rugby league, hockey, cricket, netball, athletics and triathlon.

    Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am delighted to be partnering with the LTA to introduce tennis to thousands of Londoners who otherwise might not have had the opportunity.

    “The really exciting aspect of this partnership is that we will be reaching young people across the capital and specifically young women, as we create new opportunities for them to play tennis, train as coaches and get jobs in the industry.

    “I am thrilled we are announcing this new partnership as women’s tennis returns to the renowned Queen’s Club for the first time in more than 50 years, with the world’s best players competing in our city at the HSBC Championships.

    “London is the undisputed global capital for women’s sport in 2025 and I am determined to bring even more sporting events to our city as we continue working to build a better, healthier, more prosperous London for everyone.”

    LTA Chief Executive, Scott Lloyd, said: “As women’s tennis returns to the Queen’s Club, this partnership with the Mayor of London will make a significant difference in opening access to our sport for communities across the whole of London.

    “We know that London is a tennis city, with iconic events like the HSBC Championships engaging and inspiring the next generation to pick up a racket and play on accessible community facilities, including park courts in every London Borough.

    “This partnership will help open up tennis and its benefits to even more people, by growing the number of LTA activators and coaches and ensure that the tennis workforce is reflective of the diversity of the capital.

    “In particular, we are excited by the opportunity to grow the female tennis workforce, which will in turn help provide opportunities for more women and girls to pick up a racket and play.”

    Naomi, an LTA SERVES Activator from Badu Sports based in East London, said” “Tennis is an amazing sport, and I’ve seen the impact that it can deliver for young people in London first-hand, helping them get active, developing skills and confidence.

    “It’s great that this new partnership between the LTA and Mayor of London will help give more young people across the city access to the sport — particularly as tennis has historically not been fully inclusive or accessible to underrepresented groups.”

    “Not only is tennis a great sport to play, but it can also help young people to develop their skills as a volunteer or coach, and even be an opportunity for paid employment.

    “I hope that as a result of this new partnership we will see more women and girls getting into tennis.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: Mullin, Padilla, Curtis, Schiff Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

    RELEASE: Mullin, Padilla, Curtis, Schiff Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), John Curtis (R-Utah), and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced bipartisan legislation to support and commemorate the 2028 and 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games set to take place in Los Angeles, California and Salt Lake City, Utah, through the minting of new commemorative coins.

    Representatives Frank Lucas (R-Okla.-03), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.-32), Ken Calvert (R-Calif.-41), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-37), and Blake Moore (R-Utah-01) introduced companion legislation in the House.

    The America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act would direct the Treasury Department to mint and issue four types of coins each in commemoration of the 2028 and 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The coins would be minted at no cost to the federal government, and any proceeds collected from the sale of these commemorative coins would aid in the execution of the 2028 and 2034 Games as well as support their legacy programs, which include the promotion of youth sports in the United States.

    Oklahoma City, OK, will host two 2028 Olympic sports, softball and canoe slalom. Softball will be held at Devon Park, the largest softball stadium in the world, and canoe slalom at Riversport Rapids.

    “American athletes are the pinnacle of our exceptionalism and I am looking forward to them leading the way as we host both the 2028 Summer Olympic Games and the 2034 Winter Olympic Games. As Oklahoma’s world-class facilities will be home to multiple official venues, I am honored to join with my colleagues on this important legislation,” said Senator Mullin.

    “After years of careful preparation and federal collaboration, Los Angeles will be under the world spotlight for the Olympic and Paralympic Games before we know it,” said Senator Padilla. “Our bipartisan legislation will help ensure Los Angeles has the resources it needs to put on a world-class event — with a token to commemorate the Games for years to come. There is strong congressional interest in promoting and supporting all upcoming U.S.-hosted Olympic events to showcase our nation and our athletes on the global stage, and I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to advance this bill.”

    “The 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will showcase Utah’s pioneer spirit, community strength, and commitment to excellence,” said Senator Curtis. “These commemorative coins honor not just the athletes, but the values that built our state and the legacy we’ll pass on to future generations.”

    “It is no small honor to host the Olympic Games, and no small feat to organize them either. That is why these commemorative coins would not only pay proper tribute to such a great honor, but also help pay for the preparations to ensure the upcoming Olympic games – including the 2028 games in my home state – receive the resources they need,” said Representative Lucas.

    “The dedication demonstrated by the American athletes who participate in the Olympic and Paralympic Games is truly inspiring and our nation is honored to host both the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games and Salt Lake City 2034 Winter Games. That is why I am proud to join my colleagues in celebrating our athletes by introducing America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act. As a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee, which has jurisdiction over this legislation, I look forward to Congress moving quickly to advance this important bill. As an Angelino, I am excited to witness the Olympics return to Los Angeles after 44 years, and I am proud to join with my colleagues to honor the Salt Lake City 2034 Games as well,” said Representative Sherman.

    “The Olympic and Paralympic Games are incredible events that celebrate athletic achievement and the human spirit. I’m especially excited for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, which will allow southern California residents to get an up-close look at these remarkable competitions as well as deliver a tremendous boost to our tourism economy. I want to thank all of my colleagues who have worked together to advance the bipartisan America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act,” said Representative Calvert.

    “As we gear up for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, I’m proud to co-lead the America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act,” said Representative Kamlager-Dove. “This commemorative coin will celebrate not only the upcoming games, but also nearly a century of Olympic history in Los Angeles. The 2028 Games in Los Angeles memorialized by this coin will be a feat all Angelenos and Americans can be proud of.”

    “I’m immensely proud to represent Utah in co-leading the America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act. The return of the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games to Salt Lake City in 2034 will mark only the second time in history that the Winter Olympics have returned to the same city, and I cannot wait to see Utah front and center on the world stage once again,” said Representative Moore. “This bid was supported by over 80% of Utahns and will bring billions in GDP growth, tens of thousands of jobs, and showcase the world’s best athletes on the Greatest Snow on Earth. I’m also thrilled that the Summer Olympics will return stateside to Los Angeles in 2028 and look forward to this bill quickly passing through both houses of Congress.”

    “The 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games will mark the historic return of the summer Games to America in more than 30 years,” said LA28 Chief Executive Officer Reynold Hoover. “The heart and dedication demonstrated by the athletes who participate in the Games is truly unparalleled. Los Angeles 2028, followed by Salt Lake 2034 will serve as an opportunity for American athletes to showcase their talent and resilience on the world’s stage. We’re grateful to Senators Padilla, Curtis, Schiff, and Mullin and Congressmembers Sherman, Lucas, Calvert, Kamlager-Dove and Moore for moving this bill forward to honor these athletes and our U.S. host cities for the 2028 and 2034 Games.”

    “As a four-time Olympian, I greatly appreciate the commemorative coin program as another means of showcasing our Olympic and Paralympic athletes,” said Catherine Raney Norman, Vice President Development and Athlete Relations, Salt Lake City-Utah 2034, A four-time Olympic speed skater. 

    Specifically, the America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act would direct the Treasury Department to mint and issue commemorative $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, half-dollar clad coins, and proof silver $1 coins in commemoration of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games set to be held in in Los Angeles and the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games set to be held in Salt Lake City.

    The United States has hosted the modern Olympic Games nine times, with the 2028 Games set to become the third time Los Angeles will host the summer Olympic Games and the 2034 Games set to become the second time Salt Lake City will host the Olympic Winter Games.

    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Premier Calls on China, Australia to Form Stronger Development Synergy

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday called on China and Australia to further strengthen cooperation ties, promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, form stronger development synergy and effectively deal with environmental uncertainty.

    Li Qiang made the remarks at the 8th China-Australia Business Leaders Roundtable, which he co-hosted with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Beijing.

    About 30 heads of chambers of commerce and enterprises of the two countries took part in the round table.

    Li Qiang recalled that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, and noted that over the past decade, bilateral economic and trade cooperation has demonstrated remarkable resilience and vitality.

    As the Premier of the State Council pointed out, the economic structures of the two countries are highly complementary and have a solid foundation for linking industrial sectors and markets, making China and Australia natural partners for cooperation.

    Li Qiang noted that China’s vast market will continuously unleash its huge consumer potential, creating more business opportunities for enterprises in both countries. He called on the two sides to strengthen cooperation in cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and life sciences to expand the capabilities of the Chinese and Australian industrial sectors.

    With joint efforts by enterprises from the two countries to enhance cooperation in areas such as clean energy, electric vehicles and energy storage, a world-class green industrial chain with sustainability and competitiveness can be built, the premier stressed.

    Li Qiang said governments and enterprises should move in the same direction to better promote development. He said China will continue to promote high-level opening-up, treat domestic and foreign enterprises equally, and protect the rights and interests of foreign companies and entrepreneurs in China in accordance with the law.

    The Chinese leader also expressed hope that Australia would treat Chinese enterprises doing business in the country fairly and properly address issues related to market access and investment screening.

    Li Qiang called on Chinese and Australian companies to maintain openness, seek cooperation, and further promote market convergence and industrial integration between the two countries.

    E. Albanese noted in his speech that bilateral relations are currently developing steadily and the enthusiasm of business circles of both countries for cooperation is growing sharply.

    The Australian side is ready to strengthen dialogue with the Chinese side, expand cooperation in various fields, including trade, agriculture, industry, energy resources and green development, jointly counter such a global challenge as climate change, and uphold international justice and free trade, added E. Albanese. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –